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Tsongas wins one for 'Made in America'

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
05/07/2014 06:32:47 AM EDT

U.S Rep. Niki Tsongas recently scored big for her home district, the state of Massachusetts, and America in getting the U.S. Department of Defense to change its policy on giving preference to companies that produce American-made footwear for the military.

It's the sort of legislative home run that is rare these days in Washington, D.C., where good ideas get bogged down in partisan politics and bureaucratic shuffling.

Tsongas deserves credit for her patient perseverance in righting a wrong in that U.S. footwear companies were getting the short end of the stick under the Berry Amendment.

Approved in 1941, the amendment codifies that U.S. troops are outfitted and trained with American-manufactured goods, including uniforms and equipment.

In the case of footwear, however, global competition has led many U.S.-based companies to relocate their assembly plants overseas to cut costs. Local jobs have been lost. In turn, the Defense Department has responded by handing out cash vouchers to U.S. military recruits to purchase footwear of their choice.

In the process, however, the DOD has ignored at least two U.S. companies -- New Balance of Lawrence and Michigan-based Wolverine Worldwide -- which comply with all provisions of the Berry Amendment. Enter Tsongas.

For four years, Tsongas has argued her point before the DOD brass and legislative leaders about the unfairness of its policy.

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She has tried several times to insert a line item into the DOD authorization bill calling for the agency to uphold its policy, only to see it excised at the last minute. Her campaign, however, has steadily gained the support of dozens of her congressional colleagues, to the point that the DOD announced Friday that it is amending its policy in favor of the all-American footwear producers.

This issue was always about fairness, the economy and jobs, and we can thank Tsongas for sticking to her convictions.

Since 2002, U.S. taxpayers have doled out $180 million to outfit troops with footwear made in foreign lands. That will end. And taxpayers might even save money, as New Balance says it produces a Berry Amendment-compliant shoe that costs less than the current Army allowance.

Tsongas' actions may also inspire a rebirth of the shoe industry on these shores, as five other U.S. companies have begun the process to make a compliant shoe. A New Balance spokesman said the company will likely add 200 jobs at its assembly plants.

"Innovative companies ... are able to provide our service members with quality products and keep business here on American soil," Tsongas told the Sentinel & Enterprise. "This policy change will boost job growth, spur economic development and innovation and give the brave men and women of our armed forces better gear. It is a win all around."

Made in America. It works -- thanks to concerned lawmakers like Niki Tsongas.

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